The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-08
MRS. CUMMINGS'S REVOLVER.
Some Of the Adventures S. c. Burton Encoun.
tered in His Pursuit of the KisSane Crowd.

CLEVELAND, April Z-Sidney C. Burton, the
Cleveland man who followed Kissane for years
and spent $50. 900 in the endeayor to bring him
to justice, kept a complete record Of all his
movements. His life was hazarded almost mo-
mentarily, and one of his most formidable foes
was a woman, the wife of Captain Cummings.
who commanded the Martha Washington the
boat that Kissane and his fellow-conspirators
burned on the Mississippi. The captain owned
an interest in the boat. and the efforts Of Mr.
Burton TO prevent the payment of what ne knew
to be fraudulent insurance claims greatly ir-
furiated the woman, who was of the most des-
perate character. Mr.. Burton, in his own writ
ing, tel of his first encounter with her in the
following manner:
All other interviews having failed to win me
over, they tthe cOnspirators invited me to Cum
mings's room at the Walnut-street House, Gin
clnnatl, probably to make me a final and more
liberal proposal l went, and Cummings COM
menced entreating me to stand by him. with the
assurance that everything should be right. when
Mrs Cummings stepped into the room. Her ap-
pearance attracted my attention. She
dashlng woman, with a compact figure, hand
aome face, black hair, and Jet ewes that flashed
like Goals of fire. She said not word, but com.
menced pacing up and down the room with
nervous step. occasionally glancing at me with
strange, vindietive expression. She reminded
me of a tigress walking up and down in cage.
watched her closely what she would say or do,
wnen she remarked in short. sharp voice: I
can hit quarter OF dollar this
room every time.' A circumstance which
am about to relate induced me
to believe that she might whip out pistol and
shoot me or the spot thought. in view of the
case, that discretion was the better part of val
lor, and, not wishing to furnish target for
the pistol practice of the infuriated woman,
hastily excused myself on the plea OF another
engagement The circumstance to which 1
aude, and from which had previously gained
some idea of Mrs. Cummings character, is as
follows: She was sister of the Chaplns resid-
lDg In Cincinnati, when she became acquainted
with and formed an attachment for Cummings
who promised to marry her. This was some
time before the Mexican war Cummings. how
ever. did not see fit to keep his word ana during
| the war went to Mexico with Rufus and Adam
| Chaplin and Kimhail, where they kept gam
| bling shop on the Rio Grande They were get
| ting along in fourishing way when they were
| startled by strange and wholly unexpected
arrival. lt seems that Mrs. Cummings then
| Miss Chapinl, feeling her dignity wounded by
| what she supposed to be the desertion Of the
| Captain, determined TO vindicate the wrongs of
! her sex, and compel the fathless lover to fulfill
| his pledge. She set about doing this in a curl
Gus fashion. The indignant girl dressed herself
| in complete suit of mans clothing. armed her
| self with a brace of pistols, and started with a
brave heart on her distant journey. She found
| her way without detection to the Rio Grande.
and hunted up the location selected by Cum
mings and the company. On the day of her
arrival the unsuspecting Cummings was dealing
| faro in the shop. when in came the affianced
lady. She jerked out pistol, pointed it at
/ Cummings head, and addressed him fercely:
| Captain Cummings you can either marry me
or take this in your head In the midst of the
! Captains CONSERVATION he found breath enough
| to say. why, Allie, my dear; is that your He
very sensibly determined to marry her, and the
! ceremony performed by priest the same
day. 1t was knowledge of this history that
induced me to take rather hasty leave of Capt.
/ Cummiugs's apartments"
| Subsequently Mr. Burton. in his pursuit of the
| criminals, found Captain Cummings in a gam.
| bling den in New Orleans On this occasion
| Mrs Cummings. who was with her husband at
| tackled Mr. Burton with gun and knife b,ifl
| friend arrived at the scene in time to save his
| life.